Dear Feminist-Santa…

Maybe you are still looking for a last minute stuffer for your very own stocking, or maybe you plan to make 2008 the year you take charge of your health. Either way, for many gals who deal with chronic pain and confusion due to endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, painful periods or any other pelvic trouble, the following treats will be a welcome addition to the coping ritual.

Canadian Living

A hot water bottle cozy. When your pelvis feels like its being ripped to shreds by a meat grinder, the last sensation you want is impersonal, corrugated rubber pressing into your tender region. The luxurious cashmere one pictured here looks heavenly, but a hand-sewn flannel pouch or a knit “sweater” would be just as sweet and snugly.

Dablo Enterprises

Pelvis Pad. I haven’t tried it yet, but this pelvis-shaped microwavable heating pad looks too awesome. It straps on for full coverage of the area in torment. I admire its sassy divergence from the neutral bottle-shape. Pelvis pride! (And it will never be “borrowed” by your loved ones for arthritic knees or sports injuries.)

Amazon

The title may be a bit dated, but the information within the book Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom by Dr. Christiane Northrup is anything but. If you want tips for how to get doctors to take you seriously, don’t really know how your ovaries work, or want to explore the mind-body connection, this reference explores the emotional, social, psychological and scientific factors of wellness and illness. It led me into a new relationship with my body, and took the fear and chaos out of some impending surgery.

While I’m not always comfortable with parts of her ideology - for example, that women are “naturally receptive” – the majority of her ideas have been a great support. So even if you don’t connect with all of her ideas, I bet there will be at least one section that will make you dog ear the corner and whip out the highlighter. If you are looking to renew your relationship with your body, this book will give you a great start.

Amazon

Another book, Endometriosis: A Key to Healing Through Nutrition by Dian Mills and Michael Vernon offers insight into pain management through food. Both thorough and practical, the authors offer tips for healthy living (like menus and supplements) and then explain the molecular science to back it all up.

Although it focuses on endo, it also applies to related issues such as ovarian cysts, PMS, cramps and other sources of pelvic discomfort. The section that I found most interesting explained how the food we eat is transformed into certain hormones that are directly responsible for pelvic pain, and how to eat to reduce inflammation.